Dear love to Jane and Louisa. My next shall be to my once
little, now tall and stately favourite.

Believe me--

Yours affectionately,
H. C.

LETTER 75
TO EDWARD MOXON.

Aug. 12, 1841.

Dear Sir,

After so long an interval, you will perhaps be disposed to
view my autograph with something of that unwelcoming
would-be incredulity wherewith Poll of Wapping beholds
her husband returned from transportation, when she has got
another. Yet, sir, I assure you, I have not forgot our engagements; and if you persevere in your intention of publishing
Spenser, shall be glad to prefix a Commentary on his
Pastorals and Faery Queen, with some observations on his
personal history, as indicated in his writings. I have no
doubt that many particulars of his life, not uninteresting or
unconnected with the public history of his time, might be
gleaned from divers sources. Had I access to the many collections of papers in private hands, I would willingly perform
the task; but in my present Patmos this is impossible. But
however little I may have to say about Spenser that is dead,
I think I can say much of the Spenser that lives, and will live
for ever.

Did you see the abuse of me in the 'Atlas'?1 I am glad of
it; I find I can stand fire. I am like a soldier who has been in
battle. I should like, though, to know who it is.

What I should have said, and have written on Massinger
and Ford, will find a place in an Essay on the Age of Shakespeare, in which I purpose to set forth what in each author
was catholic in relation to that age and phase of human
existence, and what was each author's own.

But my more immediate intent in addressing you at present
respects my poems, which are very nearly, if not quite out of
print. In three weeks time I could, if you were disposed to
publish, produce a volume, as large as the last, of sonnets or
miscellanies; and before Christmas, 'Prometheus,' whom I
think we shall do better to introduce to the public alone, and

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